Adjustable head support for train connecters



June 4, 1929. E. A. ROBINSON 1,715,7

' ADJUSTABLE HEAD SUPPORT FOR TRAIN CONNECTERS Filed Jan. 4, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet l m I W ug fijziwam June 4, 1929. E. A. ROBINSON 1,715, 6

ADJUSTABLE HEAD SUPPORT FOR TRAIN CONNECTERS Filed Jan. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet Patented June 4, 1929.

I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD A. RomNsoN, or MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA, AssreNon oE ONE-HALE To ELLISON EDWARD WORKMAN, OF MONTREAL, oANADA, AND ONEJIAL To 1111a- SELF.

Application filed January 4, 1923. Serial No. 610,718.

My invention relates to automatic train pipe connecters and more particularly to supporting means for connecter heads.

The purpose of my invention is to provide an improved adjustable head support at once adapted to easy and inexpensive manufacture and to meet elfectivelythe needs of service.

A further purpose is to have a rearwardly extending support for the head pivotally and resiliently carried on and along a horizontal guide rearwardly extending from a forked bracket.

A further purpose is to have the support connected near its pivot :on the horizontal guide to the front end of a spiral spring and to connect the rear end of the spiral spring to the rear end of the horizontal guide.

A further purpose is to have the rear end connection of the spiral spring adjustable along the guide.

, A further purpose is to have the forked bracket and horizontal guide cast integral with one another.

A furtherpurpose is to provide a modi fied form in which the guide comprises threaded horizontal bars carried by the bracket and, if desired, adjustable in it.

Further purposes will appear in the speci fication and in the claims. 1

I have preferred to illustrate my invention by one general form with one modification, selecting a form which ispractical, efiicient and inexpensive, and which at the same time well illustrates the principles in'- volved.

Figure 1 is a partly fragmentary side elevation of a connecter equipped with my invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of Figure, 1.

Figure 3 is a section upon the line 33 of Figure 1.

liigure 4 is a section upon the line 4& of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of a modification, the view being similar to that of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a top plan View of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a section upon the line 7-7 of Figure 5. i i

F'gure 8 is a section upon the line 8-8 of Figure 6.

In the drawings similar numerals'indicate like parts.

Describing in illustration and not in limitation, and referring first to the preferred form illustrated in Figures 1-4:- v

The head of a connecter is fastened at vertically and horizontally opposite sides '(i;

e., at or near diagonal corners) by bolts 16 to the rearwardly extending .arms 17 and 18. These arms are cast integral with the internally threaded split clamp 19 rigidly holding the front end of a spring 20 and provided with horizontal lateral pivot projections 21.

The pivot projections are slidably carried in the rearwardly extending horizontal guide member 22 and are adapted to turn vertically and horizontally in and along this guide.

The guide the bracket 24: which is adapted to bolt at 25 to a fixed part of a train and forks at 26 as it extends downwardly to give room for and} straddle the split clamp 19and also to allow room for ample play of the supporting arms 17 and 18 as the head adjusts itself to trafiic conditions.'

' The guide comprises horizontally spaced pairs 27 and 28 of rearwardly extending,

vertically spaced upper and lower arms 29 and 30 respectively adapted to uide .and restrain the upper and lower sides of the pivot projections 21 as these projections slide backwardly and forwardly between the arms of the two pairs. The pairs of arms are preferably integrallyconnected at the rear end 31 which, when adjustment of the position of the rear of the spring is to be effected, may carry projecting lugs 32 and 33 respectively, centrally disposed with respect to the pairs of arms and rigidly carrying the upper and lower forwardly extending bolts 34; and 35. it is convenient to have the lugs 32 and 33 project upwardly anddownwardly.

' The spring 20 is clamped at its front end in the split clamp portion 19 of the head support, and at its rear end is held in the internally threaded split clamp member 36 which is provided with horizontal cross head lugs 37 laterally projectingbetween the upper and lower guide arms 29 and 30 and adapted to slide between these arms.

The clamp member 36 carries lugs 38 and 39 so'that it may be adjusted along the guide 22 by means of the bolts 34 and and the nuts 40, 41 and 42, 43 on opposite sides of the lugs.

is preferably cast integral with In the form illustrated The bracket and rearward guide,preferably integral with one another, are of channeled section, with the side channel walls a l directed outwardly. The channeling ensures greater strength and greater bearing surface for the pivot projections 21 and sliding lugs 37. The rearwardly extending supporting arms 17 and 18 are likewise channeled, the side walls 45 affording greater strength. The bearing faces 4-6 of the front lugs 47 are channeled to afford two-line contact with the corresponding lugs d8 upon the head 15. p

In the modified form shown in Figures to 8, the rearwardly extending guide 22 and the bracket 24L are not integral with one another as in Figures 1 to 4-. The horizontally spaced rearwardly extending pairs 27' and 28 of vertically spaced arms 29 and 30 comprises each a U-bar 49 having parallel vertically spaced threaded ends 50 extending through the bracket at 51 and clamped to the bracket between nuts 52 and 53.

The end plate 31 of the guide '22 has lateral lugs at each side fitting between theupper and lower arms 29 and and has upwardly and downwardly extending portions 32 and 33 carrying the forwardly extending threaded bolts ill and 35, as in the first form. The bolts are held rigidly in place between nuts or nut and bolt head at 55, 55.

In other respects the two forms are identical and the description of one applies equally to the other. 7 i

I am well aware thatpart of the benefit of my invention. can be obtained by dispensing with the upper arm 29 of eachpair of horizontal rearwardly extending guide arms 29 and 30, the pivot projections in this event being slidably carried upon lower arms 30 without guide support on the upper side, and l have not illustrated this arrangement because it is elementally included in both the other forms and in my claims.

I am also well aware that in view of my invention and disclosure other skilled in the art will see other changes and modifications, to meet individual whim or particular need, and I purpose including herein all such changes and modifications in so far as they fall within the reasonable spirit and scope of my claims. 7 1

Having thus described my invention, what I claim asncw and desire to secure by Letters Patent is -1. In a train pipe connecter, a head, a rearwardly extending support therefor, a lateral pivot extending from the rear end of the support, a horizontal guide along which the pivot is adapted to move and to turnpau upward extension on the guide at its rear end, a spring connected at its front end to the rear end of the support and connected at its rear end to the upward extension, and a bracket in front ofthe pivot, carrying the guide and fixed to the train.

2. In a train pipe connector, a head, a rearwardlyextending support therefor, a lat eral. pivot at the rear end of the support, a horizontal guide along which the pivot is adapted to move and to turn, an upward extension on the guide at its rear end, a spring connected at its front end to the rear end of the support and atits rear end longitudinally adjustably connected to the upward extension, and a bracket in front of the pivot carrying the guideand fixed to the train. i

3. Ina train pipe connector, a head, a rearwardly extending support therefor, pivots extending laterally and horizontally, one from each side of the rear end therefor, spaced horizontal guides along which the pivots are adapted to 'move and on which the pivots are adapted to turn, a spring connected at its front end to the support and at its rear to the guides,and a bracket in front of the pivot fixed to the car and downwardly forked to pass the support and to carry the guides.

4. In a train pipe connector, a head, a

rearwardly extending support therefor,

lateral horizontal pivot near the rear end of thcsupport, a substantially horizontal guide along which the pivot is adapted to move and on'which it is adapted to turn and a spiral spring normally free from compres sion connected at its front end to the rear of the support and at its rear end connected to the guide.

5. In a trainpipe connector, a head, a rearwardly extending support therefore, a lateral horizontal pivot near the rear end of thefsupport, a substantially horizontal guide along which the pivot is adapted to move and on which it is adapted to turn, a spiral s n'ing connected at its front end to the rear of the support and connected at its rear to the guide, and means for adjustin along the guide the rear end connection of the spring to the guide.

G. In a train pipe connector, a head, a rearwa'rdly' extending support therefor, pivots extending laterally and horizontally, one from each side of the rear end of the support, spaced horizontal guides above and below the pivots, along which the pivots are adapted to move and between which the pivots are adapted to turn vertically and horizontally, a spring connected at its front end to the rear of the support and connected at its rear end to the guides and a bracket downwardly forked, to pass the support, carrying the guides and fixed to the train.

7. In a train, pipe connector, a head, arearwardly extending support therefor, pivots extending laterally and horizontally, one from each side of the rear end of the support, spaced horizontal guides above and below the pivots, along which the pivots are adapted to move and between which the pivots are adapted to turn horizontally and vertically, a spring connected at its frontto the rear of the support and connected at its rear to the guides, and a bracket in front of the pivots cast in one piece with the guides and downwardly forked to pass the sup port, the guides for the pivots extending horizontally rcarwardly from the branches of the fork.

8. In a train pipe connector, ahead, a rear wardly extending support therefor, pivots extending laterally and horizontally, one from each side of the rear end of the support, horizontal guides for the pivots, along which the pivots are adapted to move and on which they are adapted to turn horizontally and vertically, a spring connected at its front to the rear of the support and conllGCtOLl at its rear to the guides, and a bracket fixed to the train, downwardly forked in front of the pivots to permit the head sup ports and head to swing and integral with the guides.

9. In a train pipe connector, a head, a rearwardly extending support therefor, pivots extending laterally and horizontally, one from each side of the rear end of the support, horizontal guides for the pivots, along which the pivots are adapted to move and on which they are adapted to turn vertically and horizontally, flanges along the bearing faces of the guides to give them greater width and strength, a spring connected at its front to the rear of the support and at its rear to the guides, and a bracket fixed to the train and downwardly forked in front of the pivots to permit the support to swing and to carry the guides.

10. In a train pipe connector, a head, a rearwardly extending support therefor, a split clamp at the rear end of the support and integral therewith, adapted to clamp a spring, pivots extending laterally and horizontally from opposite sides of the clamp, horizontal guides for the pivots, along which the pivots are adapted to move and on which they are adapted to turn vertically and horizontally, a spring held within the clamp at its front end and at its rear end connected to the guides, and a bracket fixed to the train, and downwardly forked in front of the pivots to allow the support to swing and to carry the guides. I

11. In a train pipe connector, a head, a rearwardly extending support therefor, a spring-holding device on the rear end of the support, horizontal pivotal arojections at opposite sides of the device, horizontal guides for the pivots, along which the pivots are adapted to move and on which they are adapted to turn vertically and horizontally, a split clamp near the rear end of the guides,

a spiral spring held within the device at its front end and within the clamp at its rear end, means for adjusting the position of the clamp with respect to the guides and a bracket fixed to the train and downwardly forked in front of the pivots to allow the support to swing and to carry the guides,

12. In a train pipe connector, ahead, a rearwardly extending support thei for, a spring holding device on the rear end of the sup port, horizontal pivotal projections at opposite sides of the devi to, horizontal guides 'forthe pivots, along which the pivots are adapted to move and on which they are adapted to turn vertically and horizontally, a spring-holding device near the rear end of the guides, a spiral spring held within the two devices, means for adjusting the position of the rear devicewith respect to the guides and a bracket fixed to the train and dow Vardly forked in front of the pivots to allow the support to swing and to carry the guides.

13. In a train pipe connector, a head, a rmrwardly extending support therefor, a spring-holding device on. the rear end of the support, horizontal pivotal projections at opposite sides of the device, horizontal guides for the pivots, along which the pivots areadapted to move and on which they are adapted to turn vertically and horizontally, a split clamp near the rear end of the guides, a spiral spring held within the device at its front end and within the clamp at its rear end, means for adjusting the position of the clamp" with respect to the guides and a bracket fixed to the train and carrying the guides. i

14. In a train pipe connector, a head, a rearwardly extending support therefor, a springdiohling device on the rear end of the support, horizontal pivotal projections at opposite sides of the device, horizontal guides for the pivots, along which the pivots are-adapted to move and on which they are adapted to turn vertically and horizontally, a spring-holding device near the rear end of toe guides, a spiral spring held within the two devices, means foradjusting the position of the rear device with respect to the 'guides and a bracket fixed to the train and carrying the guides.

15.7In a train pipe connccter, rcarwardly extending support therefor, a split clamp at the rear end of the support and integral. tl'ierewith'and adapted to clamp a head a guides and a bracket fixed to the train and downwardly forked in front of the pivots to allow the support to swing and to carry the guides.

16. In a train pipe connecter, a head, a rearwardly extending support therefor, a split clamp at the rear end of the support and integral therewith, a spring adapted to fit within and be clamped by said clamp, pivots extending laterally and horizontally from opposite sides of the clamp, guides for the pivots, along which the pivots are adapted to more and on which they are adapted to turn horizontally and vertically, a split clamp near the rear ends of the guides adapted to be fixed at different positions along the guides, screw adjustment means carried by the guides and positioning the rearward clamp and a bracket fixed to the train, downwardly forked in front of the pivots to permit the support to swing and to carry the guides.

17. In a train pipe connecter, a head, a rearwardly extending support therefor, a split clamp at the rear end of the support and integral therewith, a spring adapted to fit within and be clamped by said clamp, pivots extending laterally and horizontally from opposite sides of the clamp, guides for the pivots, along which the pivots are adapted to more and on which they are adapted to turn horizontally and vertically, a split clamp near the rear ends of the guides adapted to be fixed at different positions alon the guides and screw adjustment means carried by the guides and positioning the rearward clamp.

18. In a train pipe connector, a head, a rearwardly extending support therefor, pivots extending laterally and horizontally from opposite sides of the rear end of the support, a bracket fixed to the train, downwardly forked to straddle the support, guides extending rearwardly from the bracket and terminatin in bolts carried by the fork, supporting and guiding the pivots, a spring-holding device adjustably carried by the guides and near the rear ends thereof, and a spiral spring connected to the support at its front end and to the device at its rear end.

19. In a train pipe connector, a head, a rearwardly extending support therefor, pivots extending laterally and horizontally from oppo.:ite sides of the rear end of the support, a bracket fixed to the train, horizontal guide rods extending rearwardly, one above and one below each pivot supported by the bracket and along which the pivots are adapted to move and between which they are adapted to turn vertically and horizontally, a threaded. portion at the rear end of each guide rod, nuts upon the threaded portions on opposite sides of the bracket, a. spring-holding device surrounding the rods near their rear ends where they are threaded, adjusting nuts on the threaded portions on each side of the device for positioning the device along the threaded portion of the rods, and a spiral spring connected to the support at its front end and held by the device at its rear end- 20. In a train pipe connecter, a head, a

support for the head, pivots at the rear of the support permitting a horizontal and also vertical tilting movement of the head, a

bracket, a pivot guide extending rearwardly from the bracket and providing lmrizontally' spaced guide members for the pivots, and a spring engaging the rear of the support at its front end and held against longitudinal movement at its rear end.

21. In a train pi e connector, a head, a support for the head, a pivot member at the rear of the support having pivots pern'iitting tilting iuo'ven'ient of said head in planes at right angles from each other, in combination with a bracket, a guide operative JO restrain bodily vertical and lateral movement while permitting the pivots to move rearwardly in the bracket and a spring mounted upon the guide at one end and secured to the pivot member at the other end.

in a train pipe connector, a b acket, a guide, a pivot member guide-d therein, a head, a support for the head from the pivot men1- her, a spring rigidly connected with. the pivot member, a holder for the spring rigidly mounted upon the rear end thereof and means providing an adjustment for the position of the holder longitudinally with respect to the guide.

23. In a train pipe connector, a bracket, a guide n'munted at the rear of the bracket, a spring-holding device at the rear of the guide, a spring mounted therein being free from compression when the cars. carrying the conneeters are uncoupled, a spring-holding device mounted upon the front of the spring and movable in the guide, a head supported upon the second spring-holding device and means proviiiling an adjustment longitudinally of the guide for the first spring-holding device.

EDWARD A. ROBINSON. 

